The Bluestocking, where Maud reigns supreme...

[ifIwerenotanandroid]

... & Magpie regularly drains the hot chocolate bowser.

If you understand that, or you're just cool with it, come on in & bagsie a chair by the fire.

Previous thread: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/5410054-the-bluestocking-the-one-where-the-nights-start-to-draw-in?page=1

So sorry you're going through all this, Myrtle, I hope they take good care of you and sort things out💙

Oh, Myrtle, I am so sorry to read this.

I hope the new antibiotics do their job quickly, when you get them.

Aw, Myrtle! So sorry to hear it's gone tits up (genuine medical term). Please feel free to post your pictures if you want to. I'll just look the other way - & the thread gallery bug may be fixed anyway.

Take care of yourself, & I hope it all gets sorted out.

Meanwhile, the AI has given me a stupid answer to my prompt, so let's treat it as a 'Spot the deliberate mistakes' game. I can see four & a half (one might have a reasonable explanation).

So far I’ve got
bandaged forepaw rather than rear paw - we can’t see the latter and it’s entirely possible Myrtle has hurted the former too but not mentioned it
One of the gerbils has unusual headgear, a sort of turban which looks like a ball of wool.
Myrtle is also keeping her head and neck warm with a humorous nightcap designed to look like a lion’s mane.
There is a Dufflepud kipping under the hospital bed.

…a 6-toed dufflepud but I don’t think I’ve ever seen one without a shoe before so maybe that’s normal.

Surely that's the foot of the bed.

🤣🤣
Although it is both revolting and terrifying.

Myrtle is wearing a mane-shaped scarf, possibly because the fever is making her feel cold when she is actually too hot.

They haven't hooked her up to the drip despite the fever and the fact that her foot (a) is terribly swollen (b) has fallen off (c) has grown an extra toe.

They also don't seem to have given her a call bell, just as well the attendants are being attentive.

Though I hope those bottles and glasses contain some kind of rehydration drink, not alcohol.

Just as well Bessie is there to sort everyone out.

I prefer my explanation for the Big Foot. Except I’ve realised the Dufflepud is hiding because Myrtle in her scarf looks like Aslan and iirc Dufflepuds are a bit scared of him.

Two bottles of champagne, no ice bucket, only one glass, a gerbil with a ball of wool for a head or, possibly, a ball of wool with a gerbil body.

I know Myrtle is a generous-spirited person, but if I was poorly sick in hospital I'd take a dim view of anyone thinking that was cause for champagne.

Run out of anaesthetic.

My list was:

lion's mane even though I said 'female lioness' (which sometimes works, & I know it's tautology)

bandage on forepaw

foot under bed

yarn over head of gerbil

Japanese costumes on gerbils - unasked for. Probably in this one because my previous prompt/pic mentioned them BUT could be justified because the gerbils may have rushed to the hospital with Myrtle straight from their Zatoichi dance routine rehearsal. Makes perfect sense in Bluestocking World.

ETA: extraneous lengths of red yarn being held by gerbils

Has there been an event yet which has stopped Myrtle drinking champagne Prosecco?

As someone who did a degree in German nearly 60 years ago now and actually preferred the language side to the literature, I'd love to have done some dialect studies alongside the history of the language. Althochdeutsch and Mittelhochdeutsch were all very well, but it would have been great to do some Fraenkisch (whether Hoch or Mittel) or Plattdeutsch.

Oh, Myrtle, I'm so sorry and really hope it isn't cellulitis. I had a very bad dose of that 2 years ago and wouldn't wish it on anyone. You've been through enough already. Please keep us posted.

I arrived in A&E at 1345. Antibiotics have been ruled out because of the metal in the ankle. This means the wound needs debriding under general anesthesia but they are very busy. I may be operated on tomorrow but it could be Wednesday or Thursday.

It is now 2030 and no sign of a bed. My CRP is 59 (normal range ends at 9), and I'm mildly anaemic. The hospital is busy but I will be admitted eventually. I sent the Walrus home as it could be the early hours before I get a bed.

As you can imagine I'm not the only one waiting. I do have knitting and pyjamas and charging cables and plug but nowhere to plug it in.

The Dufflepud has been hovering. I think it's (she?) realised it can hide under the bed when I get one.

The gerbils may have misinterpreted the PPE requirement as kimono style and in their rush to be supportive brought the prosecco. Because as Android said, when has anything stopped me drinking prosecco? Having a nasty infection in an incision, that's what. The wool is much appreciated though.

Bessie is very apologetic about the bed situation. Apparently I am a chair blocker because there are bed blockers... She is being very comforting though.

Myrtle, you're being very stoic, but it's horrible to be stuck in A&E waiting for a bed. I'm so sorry this is going to mean another operation and I hope they can do it as soon as possible. Your intentionally deaf surgeon has a lot to answer for.

Polydactyl. The Big Bed Foot is.
I know that because in a previous post - god alone knows what the heck we were talking about at the time! - I needed to check if cats had thumbs - oh I remember now, it was pointing out to Android that she was completely under her cat's thumb.😄
I found out that some cats have an extra digit, and that although it's a mutation, it results in lovely fluffy feet that apparently people find very cute, which is fortunate for the polydactyls

Myrtle - I hope they have managed by now to at least make you comfortable, and that the treatment will start to work soon. Poor you💙

Mega-sympathies to you @MyrtleLion and I hope it gets treated asap.

So sorry to hear of your latest troubles @MyrtleLion - sounds so miserable. I am pleased Bessie is looking after you. I expect she is very embarrassed that it has happened on World Badger Day when she is wanting to show that badgers can succeed in any profession they put their paw to. I am glad you have knitting with you.

Unhospital-like lamp on bedside table.
Strange pencil pot with half an open side next to the lamp.
Strange flat box on the other bedside table, with a slot for a CD?
Bare feet on gerbils and badger - not safe in a hospital.

Beautiful bows on the gerbils’ kimonos, though.

I hope you get a bed soon, Myrtle. I wish you deep healing sleep, when you do.

Oh dear, Myrtle! Sending you lots of love & good wishes.

My heart goes out to you @MyrtleLion. I am amazed by your stoicism in the face of all this. I can only pray for a good outcome in the very near future.

Fingers crossed. X